Guys
Let me ask this kinda weird question. (and moderator, feel free to move this thread if this is not the right place).
Recently I have this thought to move to other place (I'm in L.A now), the place I have in mind are Oregon or San Diego.
I've visited in San Diego several times, and place-wise, I think I can say I like it, the thing is I dunno anything about living there. As you know visiting and living are totally different situation.
As of Oregon, I've never been there but I have some people who has lived there or still lives there (Eugene), and from them I only know that Oregon is "greener" than L.A, no sales tax, and thas it, thats all I know.
If any of you are from there, used to lived there or anything that can say something about living in Oregon or San Diego, please chime-in.
The reason I posted this thread in wedding forum is because when I moved to any of those place, I want to continue my wedding business.
So it will be very helpfull if you, as a wedding photographer, can give me any information about living there and also doing a wedding photography business over there.
I live in Oregon, near Portland and am a huge fan... That said, Oregon is a huge shock for someone coming from sunny CA. Think lots of rain. And months of grey. Many implants report having a terrible time getting used to the weather and are often depressed seasonally. There also seems to be a host of "photographers" offering crappy work for next to nothing (and people seem to expect photographers to work for less than nothing). The unemployment rate recently jumped a percentage point as well. I think it would be difficult for someone to make a living here as a wedding photog, but I might be wrong. -Rob
some may say that there are "months of grey" here
... others think of it as months of natural diffused light
it rains all the time (actually a drizzle 9 months out of the year)
Portland averages about 40" of rain per year with Nov-Feb being the wettest
we average 1-5 days of freeze/ice/snow per winter
we average 1-2 weeks of temperatures over 90 per summer
no sales tax
no self service at the gas pump
from Portland, you can be at the ocean or the top of the mountain in 1 - 1.5hrs drive time
Portland is a 3hr drive to Seattle, and a 5hr drive to Vancouver BC
between SanDiego & Portland, ask yourself, do you want hot & sun or mild & damp ... that would be the question
It's funny, I always liked the idea moving to San Diego myself. As someone living in Seattle, WA, which has almost as much if not more rain than Portland has, I would be willing to relocate. Sun produces seratonin hormon in your body, aka hormon of happiness. Guess what happens if you don't get enough sun.
That said, it is one of the best places to live. Crime is very low, very-very green. Ocean, lakes, rivers, mountains... all within the reach. So during cold and wet season, I wish I was somewhere else... the rest of the time, there is no place like Northwest!
As for the wedding business, I am sure you can work anywhere and be successful, if you're good!
Good luck!
It's hard to say, since "San Diego" is a city, and "Oregon" is a (big) state.
There's a huge difference between Portland and Coos Bay, or Sweet Home and The Dalles. Medford's weather is like Redding, California's, while Tigard's is more like Vancouver, Washington.
Victor S wrote:
It's funny, I always liked the idea moving to San Diego myself. As someone living in Seattle...
I'm with you!
I've lived briefly in Tampa, Florida; San Antonio,Texas; and Spokane, Washington, but Seattle (actually Everett) is home.
But a few years ago I actually interviewd for a watchmaker job in San Diego. If I could have afforded to live there in the manner to which I am acustomed on what they were offering a starting salary I'd probably be there now.
I love the weather in San Diego, and one of my best friends has lived there for 10 years and says he loves it.
If I win the MegaMillions, guess where I'm moving to!
I've lived in San Diego all my life. It is a great place to live, but there are always downsides. In San Diego, we have rampant outbreaks of (herpes infected) mosquitoes --- not to mention the frequent (land) shark attacks by Great Whites. The weather is downright miserable ---- sometimes it's hard to even drive because of all the hideous sunshine. On the (twelve) days each year that we receive rain, stay off the roads. No one seems to know how to drive in the rain. Last winter during a sprinkle, I went to the store for some groceries. I came home with herpes and shark wounds.
A life long SoCal type, living in the greater L.A. area? Oregon. But as others have pointed out, you trade skin cancer for mold and fungus and a pale sickly complexion. If you need a break from L.A., I'm not sure San Diego is as big a break as you might want.
I love SD, but would never live there. Too many people, too many cars, too many photographers All things aside, it's one of my favorite vacation spots, but would hate for me to not like it because I live there.
I think me and friend would go visit Oregon (Portland) anytime soon, prolly after holidays..
Thanks Guys for the insight
BUT,.....Guys, please keep them coming....
2 great places, Oregon is so green and lush, however SD is my fav. Give me Coronado and I would be set, just wish I could afford to live there...
sadness
My mom's family are scattered all over Oregon; Portland, Albany, Sweet Home, Eugene, The Dalles. I was born in North Bend and lived in Coos Bay before we moved to Washington. I still travel there a lot. Oregon is socially, politically, economically, and climatologically diverse. That's one of the great things about it.
So ya gotta know something about where in Oregon you're lookin' ta move, before ya decide what kind o' clothes to pack.
I grew up in SD and my family is still there. I'd go to Oregon. San Diego is just too similar to LA. I'd try a different part of LA instead of moving to San Diego. THEN if you don't like it, go to Oregon. Eugene, too. Nice place.
Lots of photographers in the Portland area. Economically hit hard these past 2 years.
I hear Bend is in better shape.
L A transplants often fall in love with Bend, with its sunshine, mountain sports, and casual culture, but 50% HATE the cold winter and move away the first year. I don't believe the area is as saturated with photographers as the Portland area is.
I live in the rurals outside Portland. Beautiful area. An hour to unspoiled gorgeous coastline. But the wind is almost always blowing, so not too many will brave a beach wedding. Sometimes you get lucky and can at least shoot on the beach.
